Serengeti National Park

Home to the annual Great Migration of White-bearded gnu and Burchell’s zebra, “Serengeti” means endless plains in the Maasai language. The ‘Big 5’ can all be seen here as well as approximately 35 other species of plains animals. Over 500species of birds have been recorded, including Pale Chanting Goshawks and the long-legged Secretary Bird.

The magic of the Serengeti is not easy to describe in words as it is a feast for the senses. Of course, the views are incredible, but so are the sounds as millions of wildebeest on the move make noise. The numbers of wildebeest and zebra are so high that the air vibrates through your entire body. This is something you will try to describe to friends and family before realizing it’s impossible. You can also enjoy vistas of honey-lit plains at sunset so beautiful that it’s worth the trip just for this alone.

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is in the Dry season (from late June to October). This period offers the best wildlife viewing in general with the wildebeest migration as its absolute highlight. Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but certain areas are better at specific times. The timing of the migration varies every year (the best chance of seeing it is during June and July) while the wildebeest calving is from late January to February.

Wildlife

The Serengeti is famed for its annual wildebeest migration, when some 8 million hooves cross the open plains, as more than 1,500,000 wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the trek for fresh grazing. Predators follow the migration and sightings of big cats hunting are particularly exciting. Spotted hyena, golden and black-backed jackal is never far off either.

Activities

Game drive. Well organized road network all over the tourist areas of the park
Balloon safari (an unrivalled experience, but expensive and somewhat dubious in its effects on nature. A nature-loving tourist avoids bread and circus games in the wild)
Info centre at Seronera, the best of its kind in Tanzania
A short nature trail at Naabi Hill
Guided hiking through the savanna (at the planning stage)